Stock feed mechanism



Oct. 27, 1953 w. B. RETZ STOCK FEED MECHANISM Filed Oct. 12, 1.950

3 Sheets-Sheet l V Ihwentor WILL/AM 8. R572 Gttornegs Oct. 27, 1953 w.B. RETZ STOCK FEED MECHANISM 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 12, 19503nventot' W/LL-/AM 8. R572 (Ittomegs Oct. 27, 1953 w. B. RETZ STOCK FEEDMECHANISM 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. 12, 1950 ulr ono Zhwenfor W/LL/4M5. REIZ Gttomcgs Patented Oct. 27, 1953 STOCK FEED MECHANISM William B.Retz, Plainville, Conn., assignor to The New Britain Machine Company,New Britain, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Application October 12,1950, Serial No. 189,727

21 Claims. 1

My invention relates to automatic stock-feeding mechanisms for barmachines or th like.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved device of thecharacter indicated.

It is another object to provide an improved stock-feeding mechanism oflimited longitudinal length and yet providing for accommodation ofmaximum-length bar stock.

It is also an object to provide automatic means for limiting the rate offeed in a mechanism of the character indicated so that, regardless ofthe size and weight of the unconsumed length of stock to be fed, therate of feed may be held substantially constant.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improvedstock-feeding mechanism wherein the pusher member which directly feedsthe stock is longitudinally extendable out both ends of the frame of themechanism, so that stock may be fed well into the spindle, and so thatstock lengths approaching the length of the framework of the mechanismmay be accommodated.

It is a further object to meet the above objects with a mechanismwherein the widest longitudinally based support of the pusher member isprovided at all times.

Other objects and various further features of novelty and invention willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art from a reading of thefollowing specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.In said drawings, which show, for illustrative purposes only, preferredforms of the invention:

Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation of a stock feeding mechanismembodying features of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a partly broken-away, simplified, plan view of a stock-feedingmechanism shown in F 1;

Fig. 2a is a rear or left-end view of the arrangement of Fig. 1; a

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary, partly sectionalized view of therear end of the feeding mechanism of Fig. 1, with the pusher meanslocated near th rear end, the sectionalized parts being shown more orless in the plane 33 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 4 is a rear or left-end view of the parts f Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a partly sectionalized, front or rightend view of the parts ofFig. 3, as viewed from the plane 5-5 of Fig. 3 and with certain partsbroken-away and in section in the plane 5a5a of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary, side elevation of other parts of themechanism of Fig. 1;

, Simple means are provided Fig. '7 is a right-end view of the parts ofFig. 6, with certain parts shown in section along the line 'l! of Fig.6;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged sectional view in the plane 3-8 of Fig. 7; and

Fig. 9 is a schematic representation of an alternative arrangement ofcertain parts of Fig. 3.

Briefly stated, my invention contemplates an improved stock-feedingmechanism for feeding bar or the like stock to a machine such as alathe. Necessarily, the stock-feeding mechanism accommodates the bars tobe fed at the rear end of the machine, and in order that the last usablepiece of stock may be automatically fed, my feeding mechanism includesan extendable pusher of the general type disclosed in U. S. Patent No.2,555,- 753, granted June 5, 1951, to Donald H. Montgomery. In orderthat bars of maximum length may be accommodated by the feedingmechanism, this pusher is also extendable out the rear end of thefeeding mechanism, and in accordance with the invention such extensionout both ends of the feed mechanism is accomplished automatically. Mymechanism provides improved automatic means for assuring that supportfor the pusher shall be of the greatest possibl longitudinal base,whatever the longitudinal position of the pusher; in one form, thisautomatic means contemplates use of appropriate selectively operatingdetent means and, in another form, positive or dog latches are employed.

As a further feature, my invention also contemplates an improved meansfor transmitting feeding or driving forces from a motor to the pusher.This feed means is applied in such a way that, regardless of Whether thepusher is extended out the rear end of the feed mechanism (and thus hasa maximum length piece of stock to push) or whether the pusher isextended into the spindle (and thus has a minimum length piece of stockto advance), the feeding movement will be at substantially constantspeed.

for adjustably regulating this desired constant speed, as for minimumbounce upon striking a stock stop. The mechanism may further includemeans for adjustably selecting a desired retraction speed for the feedmechanism, so as automatically to return the pusher, and this retractingor return feed may project the pusher beyond the rear end of themechanism, in readiness for accommodation of a maximum length new pieceof stock, with a minimum consumption of time.

Referring to the drawings (Figs. 1-8), my invention is shown inapplication to a feeding mechanism including a longitudinally extendingframe, comprising a table resting upon longitudinally spaced supports orpedestals iii-ll. The supports may include adjustable means l2 foradjustably leveling elongated guide means with respect to the axis ofthe spindle E3 of the machine to be fed. The guide means may comprisetransversely spaced rails 14 (Fig. 5) secured, as by bolts [5, to thelower flanges of a suitable rigid frame member or I-beam it. The I-beamI6 is shown suspended from the pedestals [0. The rails l4 may serve tosupport and to guide two spaced carriages ill8 providing longitudinallyspaced support for the pusher means.

The pusher means may include a nose [9 revolubly supported in a head .20at the forward end of the pusher bar 2| and in axial alignment with thespindle [3. The bar 21 is preferably elongated, and the pusher nose andhead lQ-it may be of a diameter to clear the bore of the spindle [3. Thelength of bar 2| may be such as to permit a fully extended projection ofthe nose l9 into the collet or chucking means (not shown) of the machinebeing fed so that there may be utmost consumption of the stock, and suchprojection may be accomplished with no loss of locating support by meansof carriages .ll-IS.

The table for supporting the bars of stock awaiting feeding may comprisea framework of longitudinal and transverse members 2222- 23, which maybe set slightly inclined from the horizontal so as to permit bars toroll, one by one, down into a stock-feeding position. The bars may beretained from rolling by means of a plurality of spaced retainingfingers 24 (Fig. 2a), all of which may be connected to a longitudinallyextending actuating rod 25. Each of the fingers 24 may be in the natureof a bellcrank with both arms generally upwardly extending so that, upona limited rotary reciprocating cycle thereof, one bar may be released ata time from the magazine and allowed to roll into a stockfeedingposition, at which position one of the longitudinal frame members 22 mayproperly stop and locate the newly loaded bar. A simple double-actingfluid-pressure cylinder 2% may provide the necessary rocking action forthe bar 25 and trip fingers 24, as will be understood. Once theframework has been elevated (by means of jacks l2) into correctalignment with the spindle I3, bolts or other means 21-28 may be securedso as to hold the I-beam it of the guide means rigidly to the back frame29 of the machine, as by means of a bracket 30; minor elevationadjustments, as when necessary to align a new and different stock sizewith the spindle, may be made by jacking adjustments of the table222223, as at 3| (Fig. 2a).

As indicated, each of the carriages 11-48 may carry aligned guide meansfor accurately locating the pusher bar 2| on the spindle axis. In theform shown, the pusher bar 2| is cylindrical, and the guide means ineach of the carriages |l-|8 is a plain cylindrical bore. For purposeswhich will later be clear, the pusher bar 2| is non-rotatably supportedin the carriages 11-48; a spline 33 in the rear carriage is shownengaging a longitudinal key slot or groove 34 in the pusher bar 2| toprevent any possible rotation of the bar 2|.

To promote relative ease of movement of carriages I1|8 on the rails M, aroller suspension may be provided in each case. This roller suspensioncontemplates positive location of the with respect to the rails I4provision may be made for the adjustable reduction of such play; in theform shown, I employ a pin 38 having an exposed adjustment head 39 andan eccentricshaft portion it (Figs. 3 and 5) for the roller 31.Set-screw means t! may retain a given lateral adjustment for the roller3'5. In the same way a head 42 in conjunction with lock-nut means 43 mayserve to adjustably secure an eccentric placement of the roller 35, aswill be understood.

In order to limit travel of the carriages l'l-l8 with respect to theguide means It and with respect to the pusher bar 21, limiting abutmentsmay be provided; an end plate 55 (Fig. 3) may be welded or otherwisesecured over the rear end of the I-beam it and rails l4, and a similarend plate it at the forward end may limit travel of the forward carriageit. To limit movement of the carriages ll-IS with respect to the pusherbar, I show an abutment member 88 (Fig. 9) at the rear end of the pusherbar 2! and an enlargement dd (Figs. 3 and 5) adjacent to head 29 at theforward end.

In accordance with a feature of the invention, means are provided for apositive direct application of feeding thrust to the pusher meansregardless of the longitudinal position of the pusher means andregardless of the direction of travel of the pusher means. Such feedmeans may utilize a flexible cable looped over the ends of the frameworkof the mechanism and rigidly fastened to both ends of the pusher. In theform shown, I employ a sprocket chain .58, but it will be understoodthat metal tape, cable, or other flexible means may also serve thepurpose.

The sprocket chain 58 is shown as a single loop supported at the rearend by pulleys or idler sprockets iii-52, and at the forward end bypulleys or idler sprockets 5354. The free end 55 of the chain 55 whichis adjacent the rear sprocket 52 (Fig. 3) is preferably attached to thepusher means at a forward location, as at 56 on the enlarged head 49.The other free end 51 of the sprocket chain 50, that is, the end whichis adjacent the forward sprocket wheel 56, is preferably attached to thepusher means toward the rear end thereof, as at 58 on the abutment 48(Fig. 9). As shown clearly in Figs. 2 and 3, the orientation ofsprockets 5254 with respect to the points of attachment 56-58 of thechain ends 55-5! to the pusher is preferably such that a tautenedchain-length will always be parallel or substantially parallel to thethrust axis of the pusher. In Fig. 3, it will be seen, for the case ofthe chain end 55, that the sprocket 52 is slightly lower with respect tothe sprocket 55 but that in each case, whether it be the sprocket 52 orthe sprocket 5 the chain end is attached to the pusher means in a planetangent to the sprocket and parallel to the thrust axis. It will beappreciated that, with the arrangement discussed, the two chain endsEff-55 will overlap longitudinally for the substantial or feed length ofthe pusher, so that feeding thrust imparted to the chain 50 may bedirectly applied to the pusher whether the pusher is in a positionintermediate the ends of the mechanism or is extended beyond either theforward or rear ends of the mechanism.

As another feature of the invention, I provide automatically releasablemeans for so locating the carriages with respect to the pusher and withrespect to the guide means or rails I5 that there will always be amaximum longitudinal base or spread between the points of supportprovided by the carriages Il-Hl. In the forms shown in Figs. 1 to 5,such means contemplates resilient detent-type engagements at both frontand rear ends of the mechanism.

At the front end, this detent action is effective between the frontcarriage l8 and the pusher means, and between the front carriage and thefront of the frame. Separate detent mechanisms may be employed for thesetwo front-end functions, and in the former a block 60 on the front faceof the front carriage l 8 encases spring means 6| constantly urging adetent member 62 against the outer surface of the pusher head 2!). Atransverse pin 63 may key the detent against rotation, so that asuitably sloped cam flat 64 may be positioned to ride up on the head 20when the front carriage I8 approaches the front position. When the frontcarriage l8 reaches the full forward position with respect to the pusherhead 20, the detent 62 may drop into and thus engage a detent abutment65, which may be merely a milled transverse slot or groove in the head20. For the second front-end detent function, a housing 67 may besecured to a rail l4 and to the frame so as to poise a detent 68 forinterception of a cam 69 on the front carriage; the arrangement may besuch that, as the front carriage approaches the front end of the frame,the detent 68 will ride up on cam 59 so as to home in a detent recess69', preferably as the front carriage strikes the front abutment 36.

It will be understood that with sufficiently strong action by springsGl-5l, as adjusted by means of screws 66-456, the holding power of thedetents 62-68 may be enough to overcome all friction in the variousguide means. Thus, once the pusher head 20 and the front carriage 18have been latched together by the detent 52, a feed of the pusher willnecessarily mean a feed of the front carriage until the front frameabutment 46 intercepts and thus limits further travel of the frontcarriage H3, at which time detent 68 will be engaged. Thereafter, thedetent action will be forced to release, and the pusher will beprojected ahead of the front carriage i8 and into the spindle it of themachine being fed.

In a similar manner, spring-detent means may serve to hold the rearcarriage I! as far rearwardly as possible at all times. I have shown onerear detent is to involve a resilient engagement between the rearcarriage I7 and the frame, and a second rear detent 75 between the rearcarriage I? and the rear end 48 of the pusher. The detent housing 70(Fig. 3) may be mounted upon the I-beam I 6, and a detent member 1|(keyed at a flat 72 in order to prevent rotation) may be suitably formedwith cam flats 13 for cooperation with a detent recess or groove 14 inthe rear carriage 11. As shown at 76, the rear edge of the rear carriagell may be beveled off in the path of the detent H in order to assist inan automatic location of the detent H As in the case of the front detentmechanism, the detent 12 may be adjustably loaded by means of spring I?and screw 78. The other rear detent 15 may be similarly formed; itshousing is shown mounted 6 on the rear carriage l1 and projecting forlatching engagement with pusher member 48 (see Fig. 4)

Once the rear carriage has been latched in the rear position shown inFig. 3, the strength of reardetent action is preferably such as to holdagainst sliding friction occasioned by relative movements of the variousguide means. When the pusher bar Ll has been fed forward to the pointwhere the rear abutment 43 strikes the carriage if, the detent ll may beforced to give way (as the detent 75 takes hold), and the abutment 48may thereafter carry and therefore position the rear carriage. It willbe understood that in a retracting stroke the detent 75 may hold thecarriage I I at the rear of the pusher until such time as the rearcarriage ll strikes the frame abutment 45 to dislodge detent T5 and atthe same time to latch the carriage I! in that position.

In accordance with a further feature of the invention, I provide thatfeed rates for both the driving and retracting strokes of the stockpusher may be selectably regulated, with provision for independentcontrol of the speed for each of the strokes. The regulating means maybe so devised that substantial constancy of feed rate may be maintained,more or less regardless of the load on the pusher, that is, regardlessof whether a full length of stock or an almost completely consumedlength of stock is to be fed. My feed rate regulating means may formpart of the driving means for the sprocket chain 53, or it may be aseparate unit connected in series with the driving means and the load.

In the form shown, the driving means is a double-acting cylinder fixed,as at brackets 8|, at longitudinally spaced points at the rear end ofthe guide means I6. The cylinder 80 may be hydraulically actuated bymeans (not shown) providing selective application of hydraulic pres sureat head and tail connections 82-433. The piston in cylinder 80 may befastened to a rod 84, and the latter may be connected to alongitudinally extending rack 85.

In order that the combined extended length of the rack 85, rod 84, andcylinder 80 shall not exceed the length of the frame member 16, and inorder that at the same time a full stroke of the rack shall be effectiveto produce a full stroke of the pusher from the fully extended rearposition to the fully extended front position, I provide gear meanshaving a step-up ratio between the rack 85 and the sprocket chain 50.

The gear means may be housed in a box 86 mounted upon the frame 16 ofthe mechanism and serving as a guide and support for the rack 85. Therack 85 may drive the pinion 8'! on a pivot shaft 88, to which a gear 89may also be keyed. The gear 89 may mesh with the second pinion 90,suitably keyed, as by pin 9|, to a second shaft 92 carrying adrive-sprocket 93 for driving engagement with the chain 58. In orderthat the sprocket 93 shall have a substantial arcuate engagement withthe chain 50, an idler sprocket 94 may be mounted generally above thebox 86. It will be understood that for a full stroke of the relativelyshort rack 85, the step-up ratio afforded by gears 818 9-90-93 maytransrelatively short stroke into a full stroke of the chain and,therefore, of the pusher means.

As indicated above, governor means may be applied to the drive means forlimiting the stockfeeding speed to a desired rate and for separatelylimiting the pusher-retraction speed to another desired rate. Suchgovernor means may employ hydraulic-control means and, as desired, thehydr aulic control may be built into the motor "or driving means 89; insuch event, a restrictive orifice lay-passed by a one-way check valvecould be included in the head connection 92, and a similar restrictiveorifice lay-passed by a suitably connected check valve could also beprovided in the tail connection 83. However, inthe'form shown, thegovernor means is separate and apart from the motor or driving means 89.For convenience, the governor means is mounted directly above the gearbox 86, and the idler-sprocket wheel 94 is utilized for driving thegovernor.

In the hydraulic governor shown, I connect the sprocket 94 to drive agear pump 95 and, depending upon the direction of rotation of thesprocket 94, that is, depending upon whether a feed or a retractingstroke is being imparted to the pusher, hydraulic fluid will becirculated from the pump 99 through afirst line 91 to a sump 93, withreturn flow from the sump 98 through -a second line 99 to the pump 96;alternatively, in the case of reversed direction of rotation of sprocket94, fluid will be driven through the second line 99 to the sump 99, withreturn flow from the sump 99 through the first line 91 to the pump.

In accordance with the invention, I provide means for selectivelylimiting one direction of flow in each of thelines 9-'l99, and thus Iselectively regulate the forward and return-stroke feed speeds.Referring to Fig. 8, it will be seen that a first needle valve orrestrictive orifice I99 may be interposed between the first line 9-1 andthe sump 98, and that operation "of the hand wheel I9I will govern theflow-limiting efiectof the valve I99. In order that the limiting effectmay be effective for but one direction of flow, I provide a check valveI92 by-passing the orifice valve I9I. pump 99 to the sump 99, theorifice valve I99 may applya braking effect upon rotation of thesprocket 94 in accordance with the setting of the hand wheel I9I; but inthe reversed direction, the valve I99 may offer negligible resistance toflow in view of the by-passing action of check valve I92. In likemanner, asecohd-orifice'valve I93 with a hand wheel I94 may beinterposed in the second line 99 before conn'ectionto the sump 98, and asecond check valve I95 'm'ay by-pass the orifice valve I93. Thus,fora-reversed movement of sprocket v(94) rotation, the orifice valve I93will provide the limiting or braking effect.

In other words, in one direction of feed, say,

when driving the stock pusher into the spindle I3, the setting of one ofthe hand wheels-say the'hand wheel I9I, may provide a 'mean's oflimiting the speed of travel to -a relatively slow speed, if so desired,and during such feed the second check valve I95 will effectivelyIcy-pass any limiting action of the orifice valve I93. On the otherhand, during a retracting stroke, the setting of orifice valve I93 maydetermine'the rate of retraction of th'e'pusher, and-if desired thisrate may be 'relatively'fast-in order to-reduce I the time necessary toload and advance a new piece of stock into the machine. During theretracting stroke, it will be understood that'check valve I92 willnecessarily by-pas-s any limiting action of the first orifice valve I99.

In accordance with another featureo'f-the invention I provide means asan-alternative to=the arrangement discussed in Figs. 3, 4, and '5 forthe automatic, selective, and yet positive, en-

gagement of the carriages I-I-I-B to-the pusher positive displacement orThus, for flow in line 91 from the 21 land to end-frame members II9-I.II, in orderto assure the sequence of operation discussed in connectionwith the detent-operated scheme of Figs. 3 to '5. The arrangement ofFig. 9 may utilize dogging means at each end of the mechanism for thispurpose, and in the form shown a dogging member I I2 is carried by therear carriage I1 and a generally similar dogging member II3 is'carriedby the front carriage I8. Dogabutment means '.II4II5 may be provided atboth ends of the :frame members IIIl-III, and further dog-abutment meansII6III may be provided at both ends of the pusher means, all forautomatic selective cooperation with the dogging means II2-I I3.

In the .form schematically shown, each dog- .ging member .is pivotallysuspended, at l I8--I I9, on dhe'iof the rear and front carriages II-I8,respectively. Each dogging member may include an abutment, as atI29-I2I, to engage the frame and an abutment I22I23 to engage the pushermeans. Spring means I24-I25 may bias the dogging means I.I2I I3 to oneside or the other of a dead-center position, so as to hold whicheverdogging engagement has been selected. The dogging members may includefurther means, such as a projection I29-I2'I, to engage the frame forpurposes of automatically reversing the setting of the dogging members.Also, similar projections I28--I29 may be .poi-sedto intercept parts ofthe pusher means for resetting the dogging means I I2-I I3.

The functioning of the described arrangement maybe better understoodfrom a description of a cycle of .operation. For theposition shown inFig. 9, stock may be in the process of being advanced into the machine,but there may not have been such an advance of stock as to bring thetail end 48 of the pusher means as far as the frame end III] of themechanism. The do ging means II2 will be in a position engaging the rearcarriage I! to the frame member H9 at II4-I2II. At the same time, thefront carriage I8 will be held adjacent the head member 29 of the pushermeans by engagement of dogging means H3 at I II-I23. When the stock hasbeen fed far enoughso that the rear 48 of the pusher means begins toenter the rear end of the framework of the stock-feeding mechanism, themeans 48 willinterceptthe doggingmember projection I28 so that thedogging member may be shifted from the position shown to a position ofengagement at II9-I22 with the pusher means-rather than with theframe'member II9.

Upon still further feeding advance of the pusher means, the nose 29 willbegin to project beyond the forward end III of the mechanism, and at thesame time the projection I2! will be intercepted by the frame III, so asto reverse the position of the dogging means H3 and thus to establish adogging engagement to the frameat II 5I2I 'while releasing the head 29from engagement with the forward carriage I8. The head may then beprojected beyond frame member III and into the spindle I3 of the machinebeing fed. Feeding may continue until the rear carriage I'I abuts theforward carriage I8, and this may occur when a substantial length of thepusher bar 2I has been projected forwardly into the chuck or collet ofspindle I3, as will be understood.

At commencement of a retracting stroke, the dogging means II2 will beengaged at II6I22 to'the pusher means, so that the rear carriage I! willbe carried adjacent the end member 48 of the pusher means. At the sametime, the forward carriage I 8 will. be latched or dogged, at |l--| 2|,to the forward frame member HI until such time as the pusher headapproaches the forward carriage l8. Abutment means i3!) on the head 20may then intercept the projection I29, so as to shift the dogging meansH3 out of engagement with the frame member Ill and into doggingengagement, at Ill-423, with the head 2!), as shown. Upon furtherretraction, the rear end of the pusher will approach the rear framemember H0, at which time the projection I of dogging means H2 willengage the rear frame H0 so as to shift the rear carriage I! out ofengagement with the pusher means and into dogging engagement with theframe member I 10, thus releasing the pusher for extension a maximumlength rearwardly of the frame of the mechanism.

It will be seen that the described mechanism is positive in operationand yet is fully automatic and permits the fullest extension of thepusher beyond both ends of the mechanism. Also, it will be seen that Ihave described an improved stock-feeding mechanism featuring automaticmagazine-loading and feeding of maximum-length stock into a lathe or thelike machine to be fed. My mechanism can be adapted to handling a widevariety of stock sizes and a wide variety of loads to be pushed; yet itis possible with my mechanism to maintain at all times a desiredaccurate control of the feed rate and a different desired accuratecontrol of the retraction speed.

While I have described my invention in detail for the preferred formsshown, it will be understood that modifications may be made within thescope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a stock-feeding mechanism of the character indicated, an elongatedguide member, stock-pusher means including an elongated longitudinallyextending pusher member, two supporting carriages independently slidablein longitudinally spaced relation on said guide member, pusher memberguide means on both said carriages, said pusher member being slidablyguided and supported by both said carriages for the substantial lengththereof, whereby the substantial length of said pusher member may beextended beyond both ends of said guide member, drive means for saidpusher member including a taut flexible connection between a rear partof said guide member and a forward part of said pusher member and a tautflexible connection between a forward part of said guide member and arear part of said pusher member, first automatically releasable latchmeans between one of said carriages and one of said members, and secondautomatically releasable latch means between the other of said carriagesand one of said members.

2. A mechanism according to claim 1, in which said latch means includesa detent latch.

3. A mechanism according to claim 1, in which said latch means includesa dogging member.

4. In a stoclz-feecli11g mechanism of the character indicated, elongatedguide means, stockpusher means including a longitudinally extendingpusher bar of substantially constant crosssection for the substantiallength thereof, two supporting carriages independently slidable inlongitudinally spaced relation on said guide means bar-guide means onboth said carriages and at the forward end of said pusher bar, abutmentmeans at the forward and rear ends of said guide means for determininglimiting movement of said carriages thereon, and abutment means on theforward and rear ends of said pusher bar for determining limitingmovement of said carriages with respect to said pusher bar.

5. In a stock-feeding mechanism of the character indicated,longitudinally extending guide means, stock-pusher means including alongitudinally extending pusher bar, two supporting carriagesindependently slidable in longitudinally spaced relation on said guidemeans, dogging means carried by each of said carriages, firstdog-abutment means longitudinally fixedly related to said guide means,second dog-abutment means longitudinally fixedly related to said pusherbar, said doggin means being longitudinally engageable with one of saiddog-abutment means in a first relative longitudinal position andlongitudinally engageable with the other of said dog-abutment means in asecond relative longitudinal position.

6. A mechanism accordin to claim 5, and including means responsive to arelative longitudinal movement of said pusher bar and of said. guidemeans while said dogging means is in one position for moving saiddogging means to a second position.

'7. A mechanism according to claim 6, and including means responsive toa relative longitudinal movement of said pusher bar and of said carriagewhile in said second position for moving said dogging means to saidfirst position.

8. A mechanism according to claim 5, in which said dogging meansincludes means resiliently retainingwhichever one of said positions saiddogging means may have been shifted to.

9. In a stock-feeding mechanism of the character indicated, elongatedguide means, stockpusher means including a longitudinally extendingpusher bar, two supporting carriages independently slidable inlongitudinally spaced relation on said guide means, bar-guide means onboth said carriages, said pusher bar being slidably guided and supportedin both said carriages for the substantial length thereof, whereby thesubstantial length of said pusher bar may be extended beyond both endsof said guide member, front dogging means carried by the front carriage,rear dogging means carried by the rear carriage, first forwarddog-abutment means longitudinally fixedly related to said guide means atthe front end thereof, second front dog-abutment means longitudinallyfixedly related to said pusher bar at the front end thereof, said frontdogging means being longitudinally engageable with said first frontdog-abutment means in a first position and longitudinally engageablewith said second front dog-abutment means in a second position, firstrear dog-abutment means longitudinally fixedly related to said guidemeans at the rear end thereof, second rear dog-abutment meanslongitudinally fixedly related to said pusher bar at the rear endthereof, said rear dogging means being longitudinally engageable withsaid first rear dog-abutment means in a first position andlongitudinally engageable with said second rear dog-abutment means in asecond position, means responsive-to limiting movements of saidcarriages on said pusher bar for shifting said dogging means from oneposition to the other, and means responsive to limiting movements ofsaid carriages on said guide means for shiftin said dogging means fromsaid other position to said one.

10. In a stoclcfeeding mechanism of the character indicated, elongatedguide means, elongated stock-pusher means slidably supported on saidguide means, reversible drive means for said stock-pusher means andpositively connected to said stock-pusher means for both directions ofdrive, first governor means for said drive means and connected to limitspeed in a first direction of travel, and second governor meansadjustable independently of said first governor means and connected tolimit the speed of said drive means in the opposite direction of travel.

11. In a stock-feeding mechanism of the character indicated, elongatedguide means, stockpusher means slidably supported on said guide means,hydraulic-motor means connected to said pusher means, governor means forsaid motor means, said governor means including a first fluid linecomprising a first restrictive orifice and a bypassing check valve,whereby a first unidirectionally restricted flow' in said first line maybe determined by said first orifice while essentially unimpeded flow inthe opposite direction is permitted, and a second fluid line comprisinga second restrictive orifice and a by-pass' check valve, whereby asecond unidirectionally restricted flow in said second line may bedetermined by said second orifice While essentially unimpeded. flow inthe. opposite direction is permitted, one of said orifices beingconnected to. restrict. flow during a drivev stroke of said pusher, the:other of said orifices being connected to restrict'fiow during aretracting stroke. of: said pusher.

12. A mechanism according to claim. 11, in which one of said restrictiveorifices is adjustable independently of. the other, whereby forward andretracting feed speeds of said pusher may be independently selected.

13. In a stock-feeding mechanism of the character indicated, elongatedguide means, stockpusher means slidably supported on said guide means,feed means for said pusher meansand including a sprocket chain connectedto said pusher means and supported at both ends of said guide means, andgovernor means including reversible positive-displacement pump meansresponsive to a feeding movement of said pusher means and connected todrive said pump, a. sump, a first fluid connection from one side of saidpump to said sump, and a second fluid connection from the other side ofsaid pump to said sump,v each of said connections separately includingan adjustable restrictive orifice anda check. valve bypassing saidorifice.

14. In a stock-feeding mechanism of the character indicated, a frame,elongated guide. means on said frame, stock-pusher means slidablysupported on said guide means, a double-acting hydraulic cylindermounted on said frame at one end thereof and including a longitudinallyextending piston rod, a longitudinally extending rack carried with saidpiston rod, said cylinder and said rod and said rack having a combinedlength less than that of .said guide meanswhen said rod is extended,step-up gear means carried 12 by saidframe and including a pinion drivenby said rack, a drive sprocket connected to the out-- put-or high-speedend of said gear means, a chain on said sprocket and connected at bothends to said pusher means, supporting means for said chain at both endsof said frame, and hydraulic governor means fixed to said frame andincluding a sprocket driven by said chain. I

15. In a stock-feeding mechanism of the character'indicated; a: frame,elongated guide means on said frame, stock-pusher means including anelongated bar extending longitudinally of said guide means, carriagemeans longitudinally slidable on said guide means and including guidemeans for the longitudinally slidable guided support of said bar,whereby said pushermeans may be sli'dable in said carriage means forextension beyond both ends of said frame, and drive means for saidpusher means including cable means connected at both ends to said pushermeans, forward and rear support means for said cable means at the frontand rear end of said frame, the end of said cable means adjacent saidfront-support means being connected to the rear of said pusher means,and the end of said cable means-adjacent said rear-support means beingconnected to the front end of said pusher means, whereby said cablemeans may remain taut for all longitudinal positions of said pushermeans with respect to said frame.-

16'. A stock-feeding mechanism, comprising a frame including fixedelongated guide means, an elongated stool: pusher'includin'g' elongatedguide means extending a feed length along saidpusher, said pusher guidemeans having a uniform elongated length, front and rear carriagesmounted for movement along and guided by said fixed elongated guidemeans, said carriages including guide means conforming to said p'ushe'rguide means, said carriage guide means being aligned and extendinglongitudinally with respect to said fixed elongated guide means, saidseveral guide means being so constructed and arranged that said pushermay be longitudinally guided for said feed length in both said carriagesand relatively to each of said carriages, detachable connecting meanscooperating between one of said carriages and said pusher and betweenthe other of said carriages and said frame for selectively connectingeither or each of said carriages against longitudinal displacement withrespect to said pusher and said frame respectively, whereby uponloading. a piecev of stock in said feed mechanism for feeding stockbeyond the front end of said fixed elongated guide means, both of saidcarriages can be moved along said fixed elongated guide means intoadjacency at the rear end thereof and said pusher may be movedrearward-1y of said adjacent carriages so that the feed length extendsrearwardly of said rear carriage for accommodating maximum length stockand so that during a feed movement said pusher may be first moved withrespectto said rear carriage and then with respect to said frontcarriage.

1'7. A stock-feeding mechanism, comprising a frame member includingfixed elongated guide means, an elongated stock-pusher member includingelongated guide means extending a feed length along said pusher member,said pusher guide means having a uniform elongated length, front andrear carriages mounted for movement along and guided by said fixelelongated guide means, said carriages including guide means conformingto said pusher guide means, said carriage guide mean being aligned and.extending longitudinally With respect to said fixed elongated guidemeans, said several guide means being so constructed and arranged thatsaid pusher member may be longitudinally guided for said feed length inboth said feed carriages and relatively to each of said carriages,detachable connecting means cooperating between one of said carriagesand one of said members and between the other of said carriages and oneof said members for selectively connecting either said one of saidcarriages against longitudinal displacement with respect to one of saidmembers or the other of said carriages against longitudinal displacementwith respect to one of said members, whereby upon loading a piece ofstock in said feed mechanism for feeding stock beyond the front end ofsaid fixed elongated guide means, both of said carriages can be movedalong said fixed elongated guide means into adjacency at the rear endthereof and said pusher member may be moved rearwardly of said adjacentcarriages, and reversible feed means for said pusher member andincluding a frame-based actuating connection to a forward part of saidpusher member for retracting the same rearwardly of said adjacentcarriages so that the feed length may be projected rearwardly of saidrear carriage for accommodating maximum length stock and so that duringa feed stroke said pusher member may be first moved with respect to saidrear carriage and then with respect to said front carriage.

18. A mechanism according to claim 17, in which said detachableconnecting means includes a detachable connection between said rearcarriage and said frame member at the rear end of said fixed elongatedguide means, and in which said detachable connecting means furtherincludes a detachable connection between said front carriage and saidpusher member at the forward end of said pusher guide means.

19. A mechanism according to claim 17, in which detachable connectingmeans includes a detachable connection between said rear carriage andthe rear of said fixed elongated guide means, and a further detachableconnection between said front carriage and the front of said fixedelongated guide means, whereby said carriages may be connected to saidframe member when longitudinally free of said pusher member and may beconnected to said pusher member when longitudinally free of said framemember.

2 0. In a stock-feeding mechanism of the character indicated, a framemember, elongated guide means on said frame member, stock-pusher meansincluding an elongated bar member extending longitudinally of said guidemeans, carriage means longitudinally slidable on said guide means andincluding guide means for the longitudinally slidable guided support ofsaid bar member, whereby said pusher means may be slidable in saidcarriage means for extension beyond 'with respect to said frame bothends of said frame member, drive means for said pusher means includingcable means connected at both ends of said pusher means, forward andrear support means for said cable means at the front and rear end ofsaid frame member, the end of said cable means adjacent saidfront-support means being connected to the rear of'said pusher means,the end of said cable means adjacent said rear-support means beingconnected to the front end of said pusher means, whereby said cablemeans may remain taut for all longitudinal positions of said pushermeans member, first automatically releasable latch means between saidcarriage means and one of said members, and second automaticallyreleasable latch means between said carriage means and one of saidmembers.

21. In a stock-feeding mechanism of the character indicated, a framemember, elongated guide means on said frame member, stock-pusher meansincluding an elongated bar member extending longitudinally of said guidemeans, carriage means longitudinally slidable on said guide means andincluding guide means for the longitudinally slidable guided support ofsaid bar member, whereby said pusher means may be slidable in saidcarriage means for extension beyond both ends of said frame member,drive means for said pusher means including cable means connected atboth ends of said pusher means, forward and rear support means for saidcable means at the front and rear end of said frame member, the end ofsaid cable means adjacent said front-support means being connected tothe rear of said pusher means, the end of said cable means adjacent saidrear-support means being connected to the front end of said pushermeans, whereby said cable means may remain taut for all longitudinalpositions of said pusher means with respect to said frame member, firstautomatically releasable latch means between said carriage means and oneof said members, second automatically releasable latch means betweensaid carriage means and one of said members, and bi-directional speedcontrol means for said drive means.

WILLIAM B. RETZ.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 324,409 Nutting Aug. 18, 1885 1,663,599 Hornberger Mar. 27,1928 2,108,274 Tautz et a1 Feb. 15, 1938 2,327,916 Mariotte Aug. 24,1943 2,555,753 Montgomery June 5, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS Number CountryDate 534,429 Germany Sept. 26, 1931

